Ryan Seacrest front-runner to replace Pat Sajak on ‘Wheel of Fortune’?

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As Pat Sajak gets ready to say goodbye to Wheel of Fortune, speculation is already mounting as to who will take over as the game show’s host after his exit.

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One name making the rounds after Sajak made his announcement Monday night? None other than Ryan Seacrest.

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“The host has been talking to the producers of Wheel of Fortune,” Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw tweeted. “Some sources say he’s the frontrunner. Others say he is just one of many interested.”

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Seacrest has a wealth of TV experience having hosted American Idol since 2002 and appearing on Live with Kelly and Ryan for six years. The Emmy winner has also fronted Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve since 2005 with the variety special officially being renamed to Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest in 2008.

Sajak, 76, announced his departure from game show on social media Monday night.

“Well, the time has come,” he wrote on Twitter. “I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)”

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Although he is exiting as host, the Daytime Emmy winner will continue a partnership with the program as a consultant.

Sajak has been the face of the game show since 1981, taking over from Chuck Woolery, who was the program’s first host when Wheel debuted in 1975. He also fronted a short-lived late night show — The Pat Sajak Show — from 1989 to 1990.

In 2019, the Guinness Book of World Records awarded Sajak the record of longest career as a game show host for the same show.

“My early heroes were people like Arthur Godfrey, Dave Garroway, Steve Allen and, especially, Jack Paar. They helped shape what a television personality was, paving the way for so many others,” Sajak told Guinness.

Sajak’s co-host Vanna White paid tribute to the television personality after he made his announcement.

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“When we started @WheelofFortune who could have imagined we’d still be at it 41 seasons later? I couldn’t be happier to have shared the stage with you for all these years with one more to come. Cheers to you, @patsajak!”

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On social media, fans reacted to the news with sadness as the praised the television personality.

“You will truly be missed Mr. Sajak,” one person wrote.

Another fan remarked that Sajak’s exit marked the end of an era. “Bob Barker, Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak are the holy Trinity of game show hosts,” they tweeted. “TV won’t be the same with them all gone from it.”

One viewer suggested Sajak’s daughter Maggie, who serves as the show’s social correspondent, as a potential replacement.

“Hopefully your daughter will get to be the new host and the Sajak name will live on,” they commented on Wheel’s official Instagram page.

Maggie didn’t weigh in on whether she would want to take over from her dad, but she did say she was looking forward to his final season.

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“It’s so much fun working with my dad … and we’re looking forward to even more fun in Season 41,” she shared on her Instagram Story.

Another fan suggested White should get a chance to front the program calling it, “The ONLY logical move.”

White, 66, told PEOPLE last year that she couldn’t envision a time when she wasn’t a part of the nightly staple.

“I just visualize us just being there. I can’t think beyond that,” she said. “I can’t imagine. Everybody relates Wheel of Fortune to Pat and Vanna. We’re like Ken and Barbie, you know?”

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